Community gardens support grows

GRAVENHURST - The idea of community gardens is proving a popular one.
A joint effort between Town of Gravenhurst, Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit, Gravenhurst’s YMCA, Community YWCA of Muskoka, Communities in Bloom and Gravenhurst Manor owners Chartwell-Reit, the hope is to see a stretch of public-use gardens beside the Gravenhurst Centennial Centre starting this spring.
The group held an open house last Wednesday night (Jan. 30) and thanks to the turn out and energy of those involved, before any shovel has hit dirt, the concept is already growing.
“It was an awesome evening; so dynamic with tons of energy and ideas,” said one cog of the garden wheel, Laura Redman, project co-ordinator of Women’s Community Economic Development for YWCA Muskoka. “It was a wonderful mix of people and ages represented.
“Some want to take part because they don’t really know anything about gardening or agriculture and want to learn and others are coming because they want to teach their love for gardening,” she added.
With about 30 people showing up to the open house on a terrible, stormy night, Redman said the dedication to the project is already evident.
“This was to gauge interest, see if we could find some volunteers to help and share a few ideas; we were all overwhelmed,” Redman said. “It’s looking like a great start and I really hope it (the garden project) becomes a place of learning, building confidence and empowerment.”
Initial plans are to start with between 20 and 25, 10-foot-long garden plots along the pathway and fencing at the centennial centre, closest to the rail line and Bethune Drive.
“It made us think maybe we weren’t thinking big enough,” Redman said of the outpouring of support for the project.
The hope is to help teach people how to grow their own food, provide a sense of accomplishment, help feed the less fortunate and provide an outlet for better mental health.
“It’s bringing together a lot of different community groups for the betterment of the community,” Redman explained. “It’s such a great project with so many facets working together at once.”
Organizers anticipate placing a small fee on use of a plot, no more than $25, and those who cannot afford the fee would be able to seek subsidy.
Coun. Sandy Cairns, who is also involved in helping organize the plan, explained the fee is not meant to deter people away, but rather just ensure those using a plot are committed to their project and will keep it clean and weeded, with people getting their money back at the end of the growing season.
Redman said the group is hoping to secure about $2,500 in funding to help provide some seed and plant inventory, gardening equipment and to install a water supply to the gardens. Those expenses must still go through the budget approval process during February and early March before the project is confirmed, but at this point the group is planning an official sign-up event for April 1.